The Southern Appalachian Fiber Community was started to preserve the agricultural traditions of fiber production – spinning, weaving, plant growing and animal husbandry. The group is intended to weave together the artisans who create in the media of fiber with one another and with the sources of the fiber, local farmers. There is a large base of people raising fiber animals in Western North Carolina. In addition, people grow plants for fiber and dye stuff.
The group had its first field trip to North Wood’s alpaca farm and fiber mill, where participants got to see the animals in the fields and follow the process from fleece to yarn. They learned how fiber was processed for felting as well.
On another occasion, one of the members showed participants how to use kudzu vines to weave quirky free-form baskets that had their own unique character.
With more than 30 members, the group began at the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center (MSADC) in June 2011 under the direction of the ag center, Mountain Bizworks and HandMade in America. The group now meets monthly on the second Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the ag center. Anyone working in some way with fiber, or who raises fiber animals or plants, or just interested in fiber is encouraged to attend.
Meetings are divided into several sections: an idea session, planning for future activities or events and a short demonstration by one of the members.
The demonstrations are designed to enhance participants’ creativity by helping them acquire multiple techniques and broaden their horizons.
One of the goals of our group is to organize a farm and fiber tour, where artists will be paired with the farmers raising fiber animals or growing fiber and dye plants. The artists will demonstrate techniques using the farmers’ products if possible. The artists will also have work for sale.